Aston Villa are now poised to lose a star player this summer regardless of whether they're in the Champions League next season, according to talkSPORT.
Villa face Nottingham Forest in crunch Premier League clash
Villa head to Nottingham on Sunday for a huge clash that matters at both ends of the table.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts
Villa sit fourth and are looking to secure Champions League qualification, while Forest hover precariously above the drop zone with seven games to go.
Both clubs come into Sunday having played European football on Thursday.
Villa beat Bologna 3-1 in the Europa League quarter-final first leg, putting one foot in the semi-finals, while Forest drew 1-1 with Porto — a result that keeps the tie alive heading into next week's second leg at the City Ground.
Managing fatigue and rotation will be a consideration for both managers, though the league table demands neither team treats this fixture as secondary.
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Unai Emery's side are apparently keen on hin.
Villa have won four of their last five meetings with Forest in the Premier League and beat them 3-1 in the reverse fixture earlier this season, but the City Ground has been a difficult venue for Unai Emery's side.
They are yet to win there in any of their three visits since Forest were promoted back to the top flight.
Boubacar Kamara remains out with a knee injury, limiting Villa's midfield options, with doubts surrounding Jadon Sancho and Alysson.
Jadon Sancho for Aston Villa
For Forest, Chris Wood is nearing a return to full availability having made his comeback in Thursday's European tie.
Away from Sunday, the most significant story surrounding the club this week concerns the future of Morgan Rogers — and the latest reports suggest his time at Villa Park is running out regardless of whether a top four place is secured.
Morgan Rogers poised for Aston Villa exit regardless of Champions League
The 23-year-old has been one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League over the past 18 months, amassing 27 goals and more than 20 assists across 115 appearances since arriving from Middlesbrough in early 2024 for a fee that could reach £15m.
morgan-rogers-aston-villa-premier-league
He won the PFA Young Player of the Season award for 2024/25 and has continued that form this term with 10 goals and seven assists in 45 appearances this term.
He signed a six-year contract extension in November, tying him to Villa until 2031.
Despite that deal though, talkSPORT reports that Rogers is likely to leave this summer even if they get into Europe's most prestigious competition.
Rogers wants to be competing for major trophies on a regular basis, and the biggest clubs in England have all taken notice.
Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are all reported to be considering moves (Sky Sports), with Liverpool also in the picture. Any deal would need to clear £80m, with the figure potentially reaching the £100m Villa received when they sold Jack Grealish to Man City in 2021.
Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers
Middlesbrough would also benefit significantly from any sale, having negotiated a 20 per cent sell-on clause on profits when they let Rogers leave.
Villa were fined by UEFA last summer for Financial Fair Play breaches and had to sell Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle for £40m to bring their accounts into compliance.
Even if Champions League football is confirmed, those financial pressures have not fully eased — and a fee of that magnitude for a player whose value may increase further after a World Cup in June is difficult to set aside.
Villa's priority on Sunday is the three points at the City Ground. The Rogers situation will be resolved in the months ahead — but the direction of travel is becoming clearer.
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Unai Emery's side are providing an incentive.